Would you consider stepping down from a stock 911/2013 to a 2011 fully loaded 2011 911s with 6k miles for 67k? Sometimes certain years of cars are better than others, don't know. The 991 boys say no way! How do you guys feel? Thanks for any input.

 

I personally wouldn't even consider taking the depreciation hit on a 991 to trade back to a 997.2, but I have no prob with a base car of any generation. The only way I would trade back to an older Porsche is an air-cooled as those are appreciating in value. And then only if I had another car for a DD.

 

Good advice. Why are you considering this? I was trying to ascertain from your post that you drove a 997 and prefer it?

If that is the case, and you MUST have one, then by all means. I'd rather move into a GTS if I was going to 'downgrade'.

I drove a 991 and quite liked it - very refined. I did however prefer the more racious nature of the 997, but what owner of what car hasn't said that about the model that follows theirs?

Let us know what you do!

 

I would step down from a 991 to a 997.2 with a X51 powerkit or GTS. That is it. Or maybe a TT but I prefer a nat. aspirated engine. The extra hp in either of those options closes the gap with the 991.
I prefer the visceral experience of the 997, hands down....more go-kart than grand tourer.
That said, if you're sitting in traffic a lot, the 991 may be easier to live with.

 

I'll ship you my 997TT CAB for your 991.

 

Moving from a 991 to a 997 is not 'stepping down' from a sports car perspective. The reverse is, as the 991 is a cushier GT.

 

Should come as no surprise what the 991 guys say. To me, the move you're pondering wouldn't be a step down but a step up as I wouldn't have bought the 991 to begin with. Maybe you feel the same way about the 991? Why else would you even think about this trade?

 

I am not sure I would do it but they are two different animals to some degree. I'll try point out the differences and then only you can decide. I would not trade my 997.2S for a 991 base. I would trade for a 991 GTS or a 50th anniversary with PSE.

997.2S will be faster, twitchier, sportier, more like an older 911, louder - road noise etc.; less refined suspension, simpler interior, older electronics, not great exhaust note stock w/o PSE,

991 will be longer wb, wider, "bigger", more GT than sport, plusher, "better" suspension that actually will yield a good n-ring time but slower in the real world (it is down 35HP), more refined, better engine note (stock vs. stock), more likely to have deviated stitching and other doodads that have nothing to do with being sporty, less ability to do DIY, no ability to see engine ; the convertible is much quieter;

I'd say the 991 would appeal more to the GT crowd, 997.2S will appeal to the sporty/GT combo crowd..

Drive both and pick what YOU want..

 

Go for the Cayman GTS, that will get you the modern interior and the visceral feel of the 997. Only drawback is no back seats.

 

Cayman was where my head was at until my better half voiced concern about puppy space if we were going to use the car for trips. I've heard others talk of a need to lay the seat back so their wife can sleep during travel. And many more have mentioned kids. But if none of the above apply to you, then the suggestion of a Cayman GTS is a great idea.

 

Those are all great points but yes they don't apply to me. No dogs allowed in the fun car, it's not used for trips longer than 6 hours and my wife had no problems falling asleep in the sport bucket seats which don't recline. Yes I'm fortunate!

But I completely get it, if your SO hasn't bought into the car it certainly makes it a more difficult decision.

 

I've always been a mid engine freak. That's what kept me away from Porsche for so long. The Cayman is a perfect solution. But I have to admit, now that I've got my 2010 C4S I have to admire the engineers who spent 50 years making an inherently flawed design concept so perfect! I don't think it matters which way you go. At the end of the day you will justify that you made the right call, and you will be right. But you will need to make your decision in relative isolation or risk being untrue to yourself.

As for the dogs, life is a trade off. They are non shedding 12 and 24 pound mutts. With seat backs down and two dog beds in place there is very little contact with the actual car. I keep telling myself that I am keeping this one for a very very long time. From my time with her, I am confident in making that statement. She is a DD until I retire and then it's trips from there out. I plan to use her until she wears out! If she suffers a dog scratch, it will be in the fine line of service! I will cry a bit, and then get back in with a grin from ear to ear!

 

Absolutely. Every 911 has its own unique character and pros/cons. It's all a question of what you value.

 

Tried Caymans but they didn't do it for me. Great cornering capabilities but overall just felt like too much chassis for too little engine.

For the 991 vs. 997 question... I fear the cost of the mistake if the financial impact is great... if you're taking a big depreciation hit on the 991, might be hard to justify the move. BUT, I also would be wary of the sunk cost fallacy... if you will enjoy the 997 significantly more, then it might be worth the financial pain for the enjoyment gain.

I personally have/had no interest in 991s except for the GT3 variants. The GT3 seems raw/visceral and, despite the PDK-only setup, the straight line speed in a NA engine, with the dynamic capabilities of that chassis... very very exciting.

Otherwise the 991 just looks too big and a bit too generic. I don't like the headlamps (reminds me of panamera) and don't like the tail (reminds me of AM). But it's obviously a fantastic car, so my subjective criticisms aren't necessarily worth too much...

 

The 997 is my favorite series of 911.

The only 991 I really like are the GT3/GTS variants so obviously I would rather be in a 997S over a base 991.